Shoe bottom press



Nov. 13, 1956 w. H. DOHERTY SHOE BOTTOM PRESS Filed Dec. 27, 1951 INVENTOR. William'HDohew/ .fi'zforlzgya Nov. 13, 1956 w. H. DOHERTY 2,770,010

SHOE BOTTOM PRESS Filed Dec. 27, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 m I INVENTOR. Zl/z'ZZiamH Doher Zj/ i/iftorvzej Nov. 13,. 1956 w. H. DOHERTY SHOE BOTTOM PRESS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 27, I951 INVENTOR. wi [Ziam J1: poherlb BY M VMMAM' filforize 5 Unite States Patent 2,770,010 SHOE BOTTOM PRESS William H. Doherty, Rego Park, Y. Application December 27, 1951, Serial No. 263,637 4 Claims. (Cl. 18-17) This invention relates to the art of drying, vulcanizing a sole and heel and/or shank to the bottoms of new or worn shoes.

The present invention contemplates the use of a composition, mainly latex or equivalent material, for the heel, shank and sole.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a device or press which is designed and adapted toexert pressure both against the shoe insole and a lateral pull to spread the sole, shank and heel material so as to compensate for shrinkage which occurs in latex after it is molded and during its gelled or coagulated state until dried or nearly dried.

The gelled latex can be coagulated latex, or prevulcanized latex, or any plastic material convertible from a liquid state to a gelled state or character sufiiciently solid to be handled conveniently, which need curing, vulcanizing and drying to free the material from its water, or solvent to prevent shrinkage in a lateral direction.

The present device or press is of secondary use with shoes having molded bottoms as disclosed in my United States Patents No. 2,406,005, No. 2,406,359, No. 2,571,547, and copending application Serial No. 121,937, filed October 18, 1949, now United States Patent No. 2,613,394.

With the foregoing other objects and advantages of the invention will appear as the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a device embodying the features of the present invention adapted 'for accommodating two shoes, certain parts being shown in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. l'and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows."

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 33 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the shoe adjusting means.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view indicating the final form of marginal edge of the finished bottom.

As shown in the drawings the device includes a rigid supporting structure comprising a vertical rod 11, a frame 12 and similar bars 13. The frame 12 is rigidly secured at one end to the rod 11 midway between the ends of said rod, as at 14, and said frame is disposed horizontally. The bars 13 are arranged at the upper and lower threaded ends 15 respectively of the rod 11. One end of each bar 13 has a tapped hole therein to receive the related threaded end of the rod. Each bar 13 is clamped between a stop nut 16 and a wing nut 17 on the rod to secure the bar in different horizontal positions of adjustment.

Upper and lower flat metal of chrome or silver plated copper, are secured to the frame 12, as at 19. The frame 12 together with the plates 18 constitute a housing for a heating element such plates 18, preferably made spec tively as at 34, and said levers Patented Nov. 13,1956

Racks or stretche rs .22 are employed to stretch sheets- 23 of heatconductive rubber. Each rack 22 in shape approximates the shape of the sole and shank portions of the shoe. Each rack 22 comprises two parts or members 24 conne cted for pivotal movement with respect toeachother. Each sheet 23 has the front and side marginal portions thereof partly wrapped about its rack and is secured thereto by suitable fastening means. Each rack 22has a spring yoke 25 which carries a tensioning screw 26. The inner end of the screw has a rounded projection 27 engaged in any one of a series of depressions in the rod 11. The screw engaged in the manner stated enables the rack 22 to be pulled forwardly and to have universal movement about the axis jection 27.

Each sheet 23 hasa multiplicity of holes, depressions or indentations 28 therein for purposes to be explained hereinafter. Each rack 22 is adjusted so that the'major portion of its sheet may lie in contact with the related plate 18. I i

In order to pull the members 24 of .eachrack 22 laterally outward to stretch the related sheet; 23 in directions at angles intersecting, the direction of pull by the screw 26, there is provided means as follows. A cross head 29 has flexible arms 30 connected with its opposite ends respectively, one end of each arm 30 being pivotally. connected with the cross head, as at31 and the arm being hingedly connected with the frame 1 2,jas at 32. Hand levers 33 are fulcrumed on thearms 30 rej are also pivotally connected with the inner ends respectively of the mem bers 24, as at 35. The levers 33 in one of their two provided by the propositions stretch the sheets 23 and in the other position low rubber element 38 which is of cruciform shapein plan. The rack 37 is of U shape and is loosely arranged at the, rear end of the frame 12. The bight of the rack 3-7. .carries. a rear tensioning screw 39, and the side mem: bers of the rack carry tensioning screws ,40. The inner end of ,each of the screws 39 and 40 bears on the, frame The. as the re end portion of the frame 12, thereby providing similar upper and lower sheets 41 having a multiplicity of holes, depressions or indentations 42 therein. The sheets 41 are disposed to lie in contact with the plates 18 respectively at the heel of the shoe.

Each plate 18 has an abutment element 43 secured thereto. The element 43 is constructed to conform to the desired shape of the heel breast and shank in overlapping relation to the related sheet 23 at the shank of the sole.

Each shoe has a special last 44 arranged therein to shape the shoe as required or desired.

In order to hold the shoe in the desired position and keep it from pivoting at the heel use is made of a wedge 49 engageable in a groove in the related bar 13 and any one of the notches 50 in the top of the counter member 51 of the last 44, as shown most clearly in Figs. 1 and 4.

In order to exert pressure on the welt of the shoe in conjunction with the pressure exerted on the shoe bottom, there is provided a comformable element 52 of still material consisting of a layer of fabric and rigid slats secured to the fabric side by side. A metal plate 53 the other end of;

emen t 38 reeeiyestherein therack-37 aswell'u cooperates with the element 52, said plate having an antislip layer 54 of rubber to contact the element 52. The plate 53 has a threaded rod 55. A slot 56 in the related bar 13 accommodates the rod 55, there being cooperative nuts-57 and 58 on the rod with a spring 59 interposed'between the bar 13 and the nut 57.

In the drawing there is shown a heel and sole unit 60 attached to each shoe which is placed against the abutment 43 in contact with the related plate 181. The unit 60 is made of the material or combination of material mentioned hereinabove. It is necessary to treat and cure the unit 60 to rid the same of the approximately forty percent water therein, so that it will provide a firm or solidified material. One of the problems arising from said evaporation-of the water is the shrinkage of the latex as the water is evaporated. This shrinkage if not eliminated will always warp, turn and put various forms of stress and strain on the shoe.

--The shoe with the last 44 therein is put under the required pressure by reason of the wedge 49 and the nut 58. At the same time the unit 60 in contact with the sheets 23 and 41 and abutment 43 is subjected to varying degrees of heat as the drying of the material progresses. Thus the shoe is finished with a heel and outsole.

The hereinabove device or press serves adequately for eliminating the effects of shrinkage bytensioning the material of the unit 60 while it is under a predetermined pressure and also subjected to a heat of the required degree to cure and dry the material of the unit 60.

The plates 18 are good conductors of the heat generated by" the lamp 20. The holes, depressions or indentations 28 and 42 become filled with the material of the units 60 and so grip the mass as tension is applied thereto by reason of the stretching of the sheets 23 and 41. The material which has entered the holes, depressions or indentations 28 and 42 provides a multiplicity of projections constituting a tread for the heel and sole of each unit 60.

' The shoe heel, sole and shank may be separate parts of required shapes and sizes, each part consisting of laminations or layers of different types.

The device is mounted on a stand 61 by means of rod supports 62 secured to the frame 12 in axial alinement with each other at opposite sides of the frame. Nuts 63 in threaded engagement with the supports 62 cooperate with collar abutments 64 on the supports to clamp the stand to hold the device in any'angular position and to allow it to be rotated to locate either shoe at the top of the device. v

It is to be understood that the device may be modified to operate on one unfinished shoe instead of a pair; and that the invention is not restricted to the details above described, but includes all constructions and modifications coming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, a tread forming sheet of stretchable material, a substantially U shaped rack composed of hingedly connected members, said sheet being attached to said members spanning the same, a platform, means mounting the rack for movement into different angular positions of adjustment, and means connected with said rack members to operate them laterally for stretching or relaxing said sheet While the latter is pressed fiat on said platform.

2. in a device of the character described, a tread forming sheet of stretchable material, a substantially U shaped rack composed of hingedly connected members, said sheet being attached to said members spanning the same, means mounting the rack for movement into diiterent angular positions of adjustment, and means connected with said rack members to actuate them for stretching or relaxing said sheet, said last means comprising flexible arms, a rigid supporting structure on which said arms are mounted in spaced relation, and hand levers fulcrumed on said arms respectively and pivotally connected with said rack members respectively.

3. In adevice for completing a unitary heel and sole structure of gelled latex on a shoe, a sheet of stretchable material for exerting a lateral pull on said structure to spread the latex of the structure so as to compensate for shrinkage action during the latex drying operation, a stretcher operatively connected with the edge of said sheet for stretching the sheet for the aforesaid purpose, and

means for operating the stretcher.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 in which an irregular surface is provided on at least a portion of the sheet to grip and form a tread on the latex structure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 596,476 Butterfield Jan. 4, 1898 1,365,267 Oakley Ian. 11, 1921 1,727,589 Erickson Sept. 10, 1929 1,807,487' McGhee May 26, 1931 1,920,157 Walther July 25, 1933 1,920,977 Finn Aug. 8, 1933 1,988,772 Ashton Jan. 22, 1935 2,059,520 Harshberger Nov. 3, 1936 2,060,061 Finn Nov. 10, 1936 2,201,996 Finn May 28, 1940 2,202,750 Andia May 28, 1940 2,213,902 Daniels Sept. 3, 1940 2,406,359 Doherty Aug. 27, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS 455,138 Germany Jan. 25, 1928 

